OK to leave A/C ON when Away from Trailer?

[KENTMEZ]

What is the general wisdom here? An RV tech who serviced my 295RL in Fort Myers Florida said that he has seen many trailers that had a fire due to leaving the A/C on when away from the trailer. Because of his advice I have been leaving mine off when we are sightseeing for the day. Coming back today the trailer was 95° inside… in Michigan. I have a friend who bought a brand new Grand Design Fifth Wheel and has it stored for the summer with the A/C set to 80. Is he looking for trouble?

 

[BobLandry]

The AC is no more or less likely to cause a fire that the one in a sticks & brick. Do you turn your AC off when you leave home?

 

[traveldawg]

We always leave ours on. Threat of fire from and AC would never have entered my mind.

We always make sure certain things are unplugged and the water is shut off at the outside when we leave for the day tho.

 

[NB Canada]

Why would it start a fire any more when you are gone than when you are there?


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

 

[A.Texas.Yankee]

Never heard of a fire caused by a overused A/C. Only thing I can think of that could cause a fire was ould be electrical or the fan motor which seems unlikely as it would probably die out before getting to start a fire. Not saying it isn't possible or hasn't happened, just never heard of it. My guess is if A/C units were left running, so were dual fuel refrigerators. Fires caused by that are heard of.

Newly full timing in our 2021 Momentum 395MS-R with our tow pig being a 2021 F-450 KR

 

[Redapple63]

You be fine leaving it on.

 

[CaptPicardo]

Based on our full time experiences, about 1 in 5 mobile RV service techs actually know what they are talking about, I don't think the one you spoke with knows what he's talking about candidly. Since our second month full-time I never call them, we just fix stuff ourselves...it's part of the journey. And on AC, our dog would die if we didn't leave the AC on, we just monitor temp remotely while we're out for the day. Best wishes.

 

[traveldawg]

Why would it start a fire any more when you are gone than when you are there?


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

Maybe because motors and electronics and even the compressor is generating heat? Maybe because some active electrical component goes bad under power? Maybe the OP ins't familiar with electronics and is asking a good question and wants some good feedback?

I would have thought you would have known that.

IMO electronics and electrical items normally fail under power more often than when just idle. Not that idle electronics/mechanics don't do it tho.

 

[NB Canada]

Maybe because motors and electronics and even the compressor is generating heat? Maybe because some active electrical component goes bad under power? Maybe the OP ins't familiar with electronics and is asking a good question and wants some good feedback?

I would have thought you would have known that.

IMO electronics and electrical items normally fail under power more often than when just idle. Not that idle electronics/mechanics don't do it tho.

Huh?
My point was if it was thought it could cause a fire when you are gone why would you use it when you are there


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

 

[BobLandry]

It is possible but occurrences are rare. I have a customer that left his boat AC running 24/7. The fan motor froze up and lost all of it's smoke. If he had been a few minutes later showing up it would probably gone up in smoke. That said, that's the only time in 20 years that I have seen it happen.

 

[KENTMEZ]

Thank you for all of your input. The tech blamed Chinese components and specifically the inverter I believe. The guy is an airplane mechanic as well so he should know. I agree that it makes sense that we should be able to leave our A/C on. What does GD say?

 

[bertschb]

I've never heard of an A/C unit catching fire but if that did happen, I'd be FAR more worried about it catching fire while I'm in the RV (like sleeping) than if I was away.

We leave our A/C running while we're away every day. If the RV burns down while we're gone, we'll just get another one.

 

[bshgto]

mUSt bE spECial

I've never heard of an A/C unit catching fire but if that did happen, I'd be FAR more worried about it catching fire while I'm in the RV (like sleeping) than if I was away.

We leave our A/C running while we're away every day. If the RV burns down while we're gone, we'll just get another one.

Now the wife can`t argue with that logic.
I think it`s just some people need to feel their more important than they are by giving out advice that is false or misleading to people that aren`t going to know the difference. I had a tech tell me the only way to stabilize the movement in a camper is to use the pin box tripod and this would help keep the front legs from collapsing from the constant movement. I just stated to laugh, he didn`t take that well.

 

[Big Blue]

Thank you for all of your input. The tech blamed Chinese components and specifically the inverter I believe. The guy is an airplane mechanic as well so he should know. I agree that it makes sense that we should be able to leave our A/C on. What does GD say?

Airplane Mechanic.... not as impressive as it sounds

 

[Malco1]

Thank you for all of your input. The tech blamed Chinese components and specifically the inverter I believe. The guy is an airplane mechanic as well so he should know. I agree that it makes sense that we should be able to leave our A/C on. What does GD say?

The only time an inverter would be involved is if you are running the AC on batteries.

 

[steve95628]

What do you use to monitor the temps? We have a little dog too that we leave the AC on for. I have a camera that I can access through the cloud but can't make it the temp in the thermostat. Thanks!

 

[Walaby]

Im betting no one has asked GD. But, GD didn't make your A/C.

Like probably 99.9% of RVers, we leave ours on. I don't worry about it.

I leave the fridge on too... I've heard of those actually catching fire. Have never heard of an A/C burning up and catching on fire. Suppose it could happen.

TV's plugged in too, and sometimes left on for the dog's amusement, or my amusement.

Mike

 

[B51Hardy]

I was full time for 3 years and the AC ran 6 months at a time. No problems with regular maintenance.

 

[mike n sher]

The AC is protected by a circuit breaker and wire sized to hold the load of the amperage needed to operate the AC [ and any of the appliances ] .The circuit breaker will open and shut off power to the AC before it causes a fire due to a malfunction. Just the same as the circuit breaker protects the appliances in a stick & mortar.

 

[Jerryr]

The AC is protected by a circuit breaker and wire sized to hold the load of the amperage needed to operate the AC [ and any of the appliances ] .The circuit breaker will open and shut off power to the AC before it causes a fire due to a malfunction. Just the same as the circuit breaker protects the appliances in a stick & mortar.

Circuit breakers will only trip if current exceeds the breakers rated amperage. It will not protect from a potential fire if there’s a loose connection or a malfunction that doesn’t exceed the breaker rating.

Here’s a picture of a 15 amp breaker i removed from my shed sub panel after smelling something burning. The breaker DID NOT trip even though the breaker had significant burn damage.